Ethnic Georgians of Turkey Protest The Russian Occupation
Turkey's Georgians protested the occupation of Georgia by Russia at the Galatasaray Square in Istanbul last night (August 13).
The event was supported by the Association of Georgian Culture Center and the periodical Pirosmani, the participants commemorated those who died in the clashes.
In Turkey's Northern Black Sea coastal povinces of Artvin, Ordu and Sakarya estimated 40 thousand Georgian-speakers whose ancestors have emigrated in the country in the 19th century live. Many others of Georgian origin but have been assimilated in the Turkish culture also inhabit particularly the Black Sea provinces. Turkey's prime minister Tayyip Erdogan too have claimed to be of Georgian origin.
The crowd of about fifty people made a dove picture as the symbol of peace from candles.
Holding a Georgian flag, the participants protested the war in the Caucasian region and the Russian occupation.
Çiloğlu: We are here to commemorate all the civilians who died
The crowd paid its respect to those who died with a minute long homage. Making a statement to the media representatives, Fahrettin Çiloğlu, a member of the International Writers Association (PEN) Turkish Center and Chief Editor of Pirosmani, said that they were there to commemorate all the civilians who died, regardless of from which side they were.
Two thousand civilians and four journalists died
In the clashes between Russians and Georgians, which lasted for five days, it is estimated that two thousand civilians died.
While four journalists died doing their job, according to the International Journalists Federation (FİJ), five journalists were injured and two are missing. (EÖ/EZÖ/TB)